SUMMER 2023 ALUMNI

VALENA VALEUS

Slai is a residential program at Carleton in Northfield, Minnesota. You get assigned a dorm either a single, double or triple.  You engage in bonding activities with your PACA and floormates. From monday to friday you attend a 3hr morning lecture  and 3hr afternoon labs if doing the Fundamentals of Neuroscience course. There are some days you attend the lecture  and labs at St Olaf College, a neighboring school. We also visit the University of Minnesota to be introduced to the graduate study lab, witness demonstrations and tour their rat lab. Each day except Sunday there are campus events such as dances, karaoke , campfires, baking, talent shows, etc.  They usually have about 4 or more options a day.  On Saturday there are bigger campus activities you can attend like going to amusement parks, the lake, pool, Mall of America. 

With all these available options, it is your responsibility to determine whether you’ll attend an event, study for an exam, work on assignments or attend office hours. While I was there I often  did everything else but my assignments until the last few hours of the submission deadline. I strongly do not recommend it because if you do not  meet the course requirements, you will not receive your 6 credits. There’s a lot of information to retain, so avoid falling asleep or dozing off something that I’m very guilty of.  I struggled with the concept because I have little background of neuroscience from my highschool compared to all the other students that were there. I sometimes felt like I didn’t belong and wondered how I got in. I usually stayed back after class and get caught up with either the TAs or the professors.

Overall through my Ep I learned how to balance my college fun and academics. I’ve gotten better at approaching my professor outside of the classroom. I met some amazing people who I had spent most of my time with. I’m no longer nervous about my transition to college or living away from home. Before I go, I wish I had prepared myself for the racism there and being in majority white spaces. For instance my peers had met with racism when we went to the pool and in the airport  back home where the cops were involved. At the college itself everyone is nice and friendly there, however when you step off campus you’re met with the reality of what it’s like to be Black in America. 

My best advice is to pack your own spices and hair products. You won’t find anything for your hair or skin over there. Get to know your roommates, they might be your first friends there. If you are thinking of applying for the humanities program it has a huge caseload compared to all the other programs and Neuroscience has the most lab work, stem has the most outdoor activities. What Carleton does,  the courses have the same rigor on what their normal students will take. Your friend might be taking a way easier class than you and that's done on purpose. I recommend  forming a study group with those in your class to study for exams or work on assignments together. Overall, I believe that the program is a great preview of what attending college full time would look like.

JUSTICE KUMI 

How would you describe your EP to someone who has never heard of it before? 

I would describe my Ep as  an opportunity to explore a college scholar's life .  A  chance to meet different diverse people . A chance to get away from home and live life on your own to see if you can last the college life without your parents .  Or someone there directing you and telling you what to do. 

What is a typical day like during your EP?

 Waking up at 7:00 a.m and taking a shower until 7:30.  Going to  the dining hall until 8:15 then coming back to my dorm to get my books and book bag and leaving my dorm at 8:30 to walk to weitz  where my classes were held. Morning assessments that took 15 minutes every day then staying in class until 12:00 going to lunch for an hour then going back to class until 4:00 .  We  had daily readings of about 30 pages per day  and took the test the next day based on what we read . Then going back to my dorm doing evening activities until 8:00 then getting to work and lights out or by 11:00 on weekends but 10 on weekdays.

What was the biggest challenge of your EP?

The biggest challenge of the EP was waking up on time every day because there wasn't someone to wake me  up.  Also doing the daily readings because at times it could get overwhelming. The food was also repetitive so eating the same thing got annoying at times.  Lastly, meeting people who judge you based on your appearance before actually meeting you  because of where you came from. 

What was the biggest reward of your EP? 

The biggest reward of my EP was it gave me an experience I could not receive living in New York. It gave me a chance to meet people who had the same goals as me.  I had an opportunity to go into a radio station and understand how things work.   Met the director of Rugrats  and Star Wars learned how to edit and work on audios.

What do you wish you had known before you went on your EP?

One thing I  wish I knew before my EP was that it wouldn't be easy and you would need to push forward because you're there for one reason.  Also that everyone wasn't there to learn and some people just can't even joke around.  Lastly asking for a help isn't a bad thing because doing it last minute will worsen your chance of getting the support.

What advice do you have for future SEO scholars who are considering your EP?

Advice how to give Scholars that want to consider this EP is  there will be a lot of walking.  You will learn about  yourself the first couple weeks .  You will notice Independence plays a huge role .Networking is very important .  Lastly cherish the friendship that you make because they may help you in the future